Combine bagger platform attachment



1958 L. KEPKAY EI'AL COMBINE BAGGER PLATFORM ATTACHMENT Filed Jun 4, 1956 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTORS LESLIE L.KEPKAY BYE.W. ROWLAND-HILL ATTORNEY.

Aug. 26, 1958 L. 1.. KEPKAY ETAL COMBINE BAGGER PLATFORM ATTACHMENT 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 4, 1956 5 m m m w.

LESLIE L. KEPKAY BYEW. ROWLAND-HILL qam 2.27 ATTOR NEY.

Aug. 26, 1958 L. KEPKAY ETAL COMBINE BAGGER PLATFORM ATTACHMENT 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed June 4, 1956 INVENTORS LESLIE L. KEPKAY BY EW. ROWLAND-1" LL ATTORNEY.

g- 26, 1953 L. L. KEPKAY ETAL 2,848,858

COMBINE BAGGER PLATFORM ATTACHMENT Filed June 4, 1956 4 Shets-Sheet 4 INVENTORS LESLIE L.KEPKAY BY E.W. ROWLAND-HILL ATTORNEY.

Patented Aug. 26, 1958 i ire CQMBINE BAGGER PLATFORM ATTACHMENT Leslie 3... Keplray and Edward W. Rowland-Hill, Toronto, Untario, Canada, assiwors to Massey-Ferguson lne, a corporation of M'aryland Application June 4, 1956, Serial No. 589,158

3 Claims. (Cl. 56-10) This invention relates to combines and more particularly to an operators platform for bagger type combines.

It is an object of this invention to provide an improved bagging platform for a combine which may be readily attached to a combine of conventional design.

it is also an object of this invention to provide a bagging platform for a combine which is compact and adapted to be secured to the combine in a manner which permits good operator efficiency.

It is another object of this invention to provide a bagger platform attachment for combines having a subframe which supports the platform proper in either an operating or non-operative position. The invention also contemplates the easy and quick shifting of the platform between these positions so as to permit easy and complete access to the various adjacent driving mechanism for repair, service and general maintenance thereof.

Other objects and advantages will become more apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the attached sheets of drawings in which, by way of preferred example only, is illustrated the invention.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of a combine embodying the invention, taken generally from the left, rear, upper side.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary left side elevational view of the device shown in Figure l, on an enlarged scale, with certain parts in section for the sake of clarity in the drawings.

Figure 3 is a plan view of the device shown in Figure 2, with certain parts removed for the sake of clarity.

Figure 4 is an elevational, sectional view, taken on line 44 of Figure 3 but on a further enlarged scale, showing the pivotal connection between the platform and subframe.

Figure 5 is an elevational, sectional view, taken on line 55 of Figure 3, but on a further enlarged scale, showing the means for detachably securing the platform to the subframe in the operating position.

Figure 6 is an elevational, sectional view, taken on line 66 of Figure 3, but on a further enlarged scale, showing a means for insuring that the platform does not inadvertently shift to the non-operating position.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, the invention has been shown, for illustrative purposes, as applied to a combine of the self-propelled type having a main body 10, front traction wheels 12 and rear steering Wheels 14. The body includes the reinforcing roll form portions l6, l3 and the horizontal framework angle iron member 19 (Fig. 3). Mounted on top of the body is the conventional grain tank 22 having a bagger spout 23 extending from the left side thereof. The discharge end 24- of the spout is located at the side of the machine and between the front and rear wheels.

As shown in Figure 1, an internal combustion engine power plant 25 is also mounted on top of the combine body 16 and has the conventional drive mechanism which includes belt 26 for driving the various component parts including the threshing cylinder (not shown) traction wheels 12 and also the gleanings auger pulley 27 through belt 28. It will be noted these belts, pulleys and their associated adjusting mechanisms are located along this left side of the combine and it will be appreciated that they require adjustment, lubrication, repair and general maintenance from time to time. In order to facilitate these tasks, it is essential that easy access be had to the entire side of the machine.

In accordance with this invention, an operators platform 3% is provided closely adjacent the combine body in order to keep the overall width of the machine at a minimum. The platform is also located close to the ground to permit easy unloading of the bagged material therefrom as the machine travels over the field. The platform is shiftably mounted so as to permit it to be quickly moved away from the body 10 when access to the driving mechanism is desired, as follows.

A generally horizontally disposed subframe 32 extends from the left side of the body 10 at the lower portion thereof and between the front and rear wheels 12, 14 respectively. This subframe includes an angle iron member 34 which is formed into a U-shaped member having its leg portions 35, 36 secured to the combine body. Leg 35 is rigidly secured by bolt means 37 to the frame member 19 and the leg 36 has a plate 38 welded thereto as at 38' (Fig. l) which in turn is secured by bolt means 39 to the junction of the roll formed portion 16, 18. A brace id is welded at its lower end 31 to leg 36 and is welded to attaching bracket 42 at its upper end as at 41 (Fig. l). Bracket 42 is detachably secured to the body by bolt means 43 and acts to hold the U member 34 in load carrying position. it will be noted that flange 44 of subframe 32 is horizontally disposed and presents a substantial bearing area for sliding engagement with the platform to be described. The subfrarne thus described is attached to a conventional combine at only three points, i. e., by each leg of the U member and by brace 40.

The platform 34) is fabricated from sheet steel in such a manner so as to give it a high strength-weight ratio. As shown best in Figure 6, the outer frame is C-shaped in cross section and has a downwardly turned upper flange 46 and an upwardly turned lower flange 47. A sheet steel door 4-3 is secured within the frame by its downwardly turned flange 51 which is spot welded to the frame 45 at spaced locations (Figs. 2, 4, 5, 6). Secured to the underside of floor 48 is a pair of longitudinally arranged spaced channel members 52, 53 having flange portions 54, 55 for that purpose. These members 52, 53 act as supporting beams and rest on the horizontal flange 44- of the subframe 32. The platform 30 has a fender 58 secured to its forward side by any suitable means such as welding, and a wall 60 welded along the inner flange 54) (Figs. 4- and 5) of the floor. The wall 60 and fender 58 are secured together at their juncture by suitable means, such as the spot welding 62 (Fig. 2). A protective screen 64 is secured by bolt means 65 to wall 60. Another screen portion 66 is secured by braces 67, 68 and 69 directly to the combine body. Both the platform screen 64 and the fixed body screen 66 act to protect the bagging operator from the drive mechanism along the body. An operators seat 70 has a pipe frame structure 71 which is welded at its lower ends to brackets '72 at 72 (Fig. 6), and 73 at 73' (Fig. 3). The brackets 72, 73 are secured to beams 52, 53 respectively by bolt means 75, shown best in Figure 6. The seat 79 is also supported by the back support 76, which is welded to seat 70 at 77 and secured at its lower edge to the door by bolt means 78.

The entire platform is adapted to be shifted away from axis. A reinforcing block 81 is mounted within channel 1 beam 53 and has a bushing 82 extending therethrough. Bolt means 80 extends through bushing 82 and also through subframe 32. The platform is thus swingable about bolt means 80 and in so swinging the beams 52, 53 slide over the flanges 44 of subframe 32 and are supported thereby. Even in the inoperative position (dotted line position shown in Figure 3) that is when the platform is swung away from thebody, the beam 53, and consequently the platform, will continue to be supported by the subframe.

Detachable means are provided for rigidly securing the platform to the subframe in the operative position, that is, the full position in Figure 3. This means (Figures 3 and includes a latch 84 Welded to the floor 48 and having a bifurcated end 85 which is adapted to receive the bolt means 86. After the platform has been swung inwardly where the latch 84 engages the bolt means 86, the latter is tightened thereby securing the platform and frame in the operating position.

Auxiliary means may be provided if necessary, for insuring that the platform remains in the operating position in the event bolt means 36 becomes loose during operation. This auxiliary means is shown in Figure 6 as an arm 88 pivotally attached by rivet 89 to an upstanding portion 90 of bracket 72. The arm 88 assumes the position shown due to gravity, and would bear against member 34 at 91 if the platform. started to swing away from the body 10, thus preventing further movement. The arm 88 is manually held out of contact with subframe 34 when it isdesired to swing the platform to the inoperative position.

Bracket 72 also has a clamp p0rti0n92 which in the operative position engages the short angle iron member 93, which in turn is welded to subframe 34. Clamp 92 thereby acts to hold the outer side of the platform tightly against the subframe.

It will now be appreciated there has been provided a compact bagging platform which is conveniently located adjacent the ground and closely coupled to the machine proper. A subframe is provided for the swinging plat form which supports the latter in either the operative or non-operative positions. With the simplest of tools and a minimum amount of time, the operator can gain easy access to the drive mechanism of the machine. The entire platform attachment can be readily attached to a combine of existing design without the need for special attaching bundles.

We claim:

1. In acombine having a main body with a grain tank on the top and combine driving and operating mechanisms along one side, a bagging platform attachment for facilitatingthe bagging of grain taken from the tank comprising, in combination, a generally horizontally subframe rigidly secured to the side of the combine body and extending outwardly therefrom, an operators platform pivotally secured to said subframe on a pivot normal to said subframe for swinging movement about an axis normal to the subframe between an operating position adjacent said combine body and a non-operating position away from said body which provides easy access to said driving and operating mechanisms, said platform resting on and being supported by said subframe in each of its said positions, and mutually co-operative means on said subframe and platform laterally spaced from said pivot for detachably securing the latter in its operating position.

2. In a combine having a main body with a'grain tank on the top and combine driving and operating mechanisms along one side, a bagging platform attachment for facili tating the bagging of grain taken from the tank comprising, in combination a generally U-shaped subframe rigidly secured at its ends to the side of the combine body and extending laterally therefrom, a generally rectangular operators platform resting on said subframe and being pivoted thereto on a pivot normal to said subframe and located at a point near one end of said U-shaped subframe, said platform thus being slidable on the subframe and swingable between an operating position adjacent and generally parallel to the body of the combine and a non-operating position away from the body but still resting on said subframe, and co-operating latch parts. on said platform and said subframe laterally spaced from said pivot for detachably latching the platform in operating position, said platform when in non-operating position and said U-shaped subframe providing easy access to said driving and operating mechanisms for adjustment and service of the latter.

3. In a combine havinga main body with a grain tank on the top and combine driving and'operating mecha nisms along one side, a bagging platform attachment for facilitating the bagging of grain taken from the tank c0mprising, in combination, a generally U-shaped subframe rigidly secured at its ends to the side of the combine body and extending laterally therefrom, a generally rectangular operators platform resting on said subframe and being pivoted thereto on a pivot normal to said subframe and located at a point near one end of said U-shaped subframe, said platform thus being slidable on the subframe and swingable between an operating position adjacent and generally parallel to the body of the combine and a non-operating position away from the body but still restingon said subframe, co-o perating latch parts on said platform and said subframe laterally spaced from said pivot for detachably latching the platform in operating position, said platform whenin non-operating position and said U-shaped subframe providing easy access to said driving and operating mechanisms for adjustment and service, and clamping means on opposite lateral sides of said platform for firmly clamping the platform against the subframe when the former is latched in operating position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Stevens Oct 13,1914 

